NRCS Practice Standard

Solution Strengths, Weaknesses and Critical Indicators

Overall Summary

NRCS Conservation Practice Standards contain information on why and where practices are applied, and they set forth the minimum planning criteria that must be met during the implementation of a practice in order for it to achieve its intended purpose(s).

The national conservation practice standards should not be used to plan, design, or install a conservation practice. You must have the conservation practice standard adapted and modified by the state in which you are working to insure that you meet all state and local criteria, which may be more restrictive than national criteria.

State conservation practice standards are available through the NRCS Field Office Technical Guide (FOTG). If no state conservation practice standard is available in the FOTG, you should contact the appropriate NRCS State Office or your local USDA Service Center.

Updated or new national conservation practice standards are released with NRCS National Handbook of Conservation Practices (NHCP) notices.

Solutions Providers in order of 9-Point Scoring System

Pond Sealing Or Lining – Geomembrane or Geosynthetic Clay Liner (521) Pond sealing or lining is the installation of a liner for a pond or waste impoundment consisting of a continuous synthetic flexible material. Practice Information The purpose of this practice is to control seepage from water and waste impoundments…
Pond Sealing or Lining, Compacted Soil Treatment (520) Pond sealing or liner for a pond or waste storage impoundment constructed using compacted soil with or without soil amendments. Practice Information The purpose of this practice is to reduce seepage losses from impoundments constructed for water conservation and environmental protection. This…
Prescribed Grazing (528) Managing the harvest of vegetation with grazing and/or browsing animals with the intent to achieve specific ecological, economic, and management objectives. Practice Information This practice applies to all lands where grazing and/or browsing animals are managed. Benefits of the application of this practice include but are not…
Diversion (Code 362) A channel constructed to divert excess water, usually across a slope and with a supporting ridge on the lower side. Practice Information The primary purpose of a diversion is to direct excess water in a new direction for use or safe disposal. Uses include interception of concentrated…
Dust Control on Unpaved Roads and Surfaces (373) The treatment of unpaved roads and surfaces to reduce dust (airborne particulate matter) produced by vehicle and machinery traffic or wind action. Practice Information The objective of this practice is to reduce or eliminate dust (direct particulate matter) emissions from either the…
Dust Management for Pen Surfaces (375) NRCS Conservation Practice Standard Dust Management for Pen Surfaces (Code 375) is for reducing or preventing the emissions of particulate matter (i.e., dust) arising from animal activity on pen surfaces at animal feeding operations. Practice Information The purpose of this practice is to improve…
Emergency Animal Mortality Management (368) A means or method for the management of animal carcasses from catastrophic mortality events. Practice Information Emergency animal mortality management is applied to reduce the impacts to surface and groundwater resources, reduce the impacts of odors, and decrease the spread of pathogens associated with catastrophic…
Energy Efficient Agricultural Operation (374) On farm facilities, equipment, and management strategies that provide increased energy efficiency. Practice Information
Energy Efficient Lighting System (670) An agricultural lighting system with increased energy efficiency. Practice Information NRCS Conservation Practice Standard (CPS) Energy Efficient Lighting System (Code 670) is applied to improve energy efficiency of agricultural lighting systems. The practice applies to any agricultural facility with an electrical lighting system and may…
Critical Area Planting (342) Critical area planting establishes permanent vegetation on sites that have, or are expected to have, high erosion rates, and on sites that have conditions that prevent the establishment of vegetation with normal practices. Practice Information Erosion control is the primary consideration for plant material selection. However,…